Study Questions on Zeus, Hera, and Hermes
Harris & Platzner tackle all the Olympians at once. Know the names and functions of the
canonical 12 Olympians, but let’s focus our discussion on three of the gods for now.
1. Harris and Platzner call Zeus “the most ethically developed Olympian. We’ve seen him
behave in ways that are certainly unethical by Greek standards, so what do they mean in saying
this? And how are the Moirae related to his ethical nature?
2. How about slightly less ethical Zeus? Name three people that Zeus rapes (male or female) and
be prepared to tell their stories briefly in class.
3. What aspects of life are controlled by Hera’s influence? What is the responsibility of
Eileithuia? Why is she even necessary? Cf. Cupid and Aphrodite. Why the reduplication of
responsibilities?
4. What kind of marriage do Zeus and Hera share? Why do you think they stay married? Explain
the marriage from both Zeus’ and from Hera’s point of view. What does the Greek portrayal of
their marriage tell you about their conception of the gods? What about their understanding of the
relationship between men and women?
5. Like the other major “Homeric” Hymns, the Hymn to Hermes, which Harris and Platzner
quote include in this chapter, is aetiological, explaining how some aspect of the current world
order is established. In this case, it describes the process by which Hermes claimed his divine
role in the Olympic pantheon. Why is it so difficult for him? Apollo’s attitude towards him is a
strong clue.
6. What is the function of a herm? How does its appearance match its function?
